birthing centers

I'm shocked that so many people want to deliver at these non hospital birthing centers. I worked above one and every day the mother was being ambulanced over to the hospital. It was a daily occurrence. I'm just wondering what the appeal is? I've seen hospitals with "home style birthing rooms". But I'm wondering what the appeal is to not having the best medical attention and technology? I just think its so high risk and scary, but obviously people pick this route and I'm curious why.

I'm shocked that so many people want to deliver at these non hospital birthing centers. I worked above one and every day the mother was being ambulanced over to the hospital. It was a daily occurrence. I'm just wondering what the appeal is? I've seen hospitals with "home style birthing rooms". But I'm wondering what the appeal is to not having the best medical attention and technology? I just think its so high risk and scary, but obviously people pick this route and I'm curious why.

First of all, I'd be curious to know where you live. Having been in the Pacific Northwest and now in the northeast I've been exposed to fabulous midwives and birthing options that are out of the hospital environment and gives the mom much more say in her birth/postpartum experience. In alternate environments you and your baby also aren't exposed to infections like MRSA and staph which live in hospitals. For a low-risk pregnancy and an experienced midwife, I did the research and decided on a home birth- so I'm even more extreme than your birthing center example! ;) my main midwife has over 25 years experience successfully delivering babies in home and hospital and her planned home birth success rate is over 95%. The small percentage of hospital transfers she has are mostly due to pain management, not emergency situations. Considering all the friends I have who want vaginal deliveries and end up in c-sections due to failed inductions and labors that are considered 'too long' by the ob/gyns they chose, I think an over 95% success rate gives me pretty good odds. I also live within a short drive from a hospital if by chance I need to transfer for any reason. The care I've received from my midwife this past year has been outstanding and I'm actually really excited to give birth in an environment I'm comfortable in, with people that I know and trust. I'd never judge someone deciding on a hospital birth but I find there's a ton of misinformation and judgement about those choosing to birth at home or in birthing centers. Research and self education is everything in figuring out how to make good decisions for your own individual family!

First of all, I'd be curious to know where you live. Having been in the Pacific Northwest and now in the northeast I've been exposed to fabulous midwives and birthing options that are out of the hospital environment and gives the mom much more say in her birth/postpartum experience. In alternate environments you and your baby also aren't exposed to infections like MRSA and staph which live in hospitals. For a low-risk pregnancy and an experienced midwife, I did the research and decided on a home birth- so I'm even more extreme than your birthing center example! ;) my main midwife has over 25 years experience successfully delivering babies in home and hospital and her planned home birth success rate is over 95%. The small percentage of hospital transfers she has are mostly due to pain management, not emergency situations. Considering all the friends I have who want vaginal deliveries and end up in c-sections due to failed inductions and labors that are considered 'too long' by the ob/gyns they chose, I think an over 95% success rate gives me pretty good odds. I also live within a short drive from a hospital if by chance I need to transfer for any reason. The care I've received from my midwife this past year has been outstanding and I'm actually really excited to give birth in an environment I'm comfortable in, with people that I know and trust. I'd never judge someone deciding on a hospital birth but I find there's a ton of misinformation and judgement about those choosing to birth at home or in birthing centers. Research and self education is everything in figuring out how to make good decisions for your own individual family!

My DH and I picked a birthing centre because we both believe that hospitals are for sick people and in MOST cases (I know some need help) birth doesn't need medical intervention. In saying that, we are aware that complications can arise and our birth centre (which also includes post-natal stay and is fully staffed by fully qualified midwives) is only 2 mins by ambulance from the hospital which specialises in women's/babies health for the country.

My DH and I picked a birthing centre because we both believe that hospitals are for sick people and in MOST cases (I know some need help) birth doesn't need medical intervention. In saying that, we are aware that complications can arise and our birth centre (which also includes post-natal stay and is fully staffed by fully qualified midwives) is only 2 mins by ambulance from the hospital which specialises in women's/babies health for the country.

I also am choosing a midwife and birth center over a hospital. I want little to no unnecessary interventions (birth center c-section rate is 3% as opposed to nearly 40% hospital rate in my city). I don't want to be hooked up to machines, I want freedom to move around, I want to have a water birth which isn't offered in hospital, and much less chance of contracting infections! Plus there is a hospital with nicu 2 min away just in case. To each their own, but I personally think the idea that it is so dangerous to have an "unconventional" birth is just an erroneous societal pressure with little to no truth/fact behind it. Plus birth centers only take on low risk births anyway!

I also am choosing a midwife and birth center over a hospital. I want little to no unnecessary interventions (birth center c-section rate is 3% as opposed to nearly 40% hospital rate in my city). I don't want to be hooked up to machines, I want freedom to move around, I want to have a water birth which isn't offered in hospital, and much less chance of contracting infections! Plus there is a hospital with nicu 2 min away just in case. To each their own, but I personally think the idea that it is so dangerous to have an "unconventional" birth is just an erroneous societal pressure with little to no truth/fact behind it. Plus birth centers only take on low risk births anyway!

I agree with what pp said. I chose a birth center because I want little intervention and freedom of movement. I want to feel relaxed and comfortable and I've never felt that way in a hospital. My birth center is highly qualified, the midwives are very knowledgable, and if it even remotely looks like a problem may occur, they have an ambulance on standby and the hospital is only 5 mins away.

I agree with what pp said. I chose a birth center because I want little intervention and freedom of movement. I want to feel relaxed and comfortable and I've never felt that way in a hospital. My birth center is highly qualified, the midwives are very knowledgable, and if it even remotely looks like a problem may occur, they have an ambulance on standby and the hospital is only 5 mins away.

I couldn't have said it better than njbphoto! My midwife has been delivering babies for over 30 years and even helps set up centers and educate locals in third world countries. She's seen everything. While unfortunately she does live an hour away from the hospital (I'm doing a home birth at her house) I have complete faith in her and her ability to handle any situation and just let things happen naturally.

I couldn't have said it better than njbphoto! My midwife has been delivering babies for over 30 years and even helps set up centers and educate locals in third world countries. She's seen everything. While unfortunately she does live an hour away from the hospital (I'm doing a home birth at her house) I have complete faith in her and her ability to handle any situation and just let things happen naturally.

I was curious about the samething...mainly because we dont have birthing centers in my area. What i know about them, however, is that they handle all but the most complicated of births and are a more homelike setting.... my hospital is also pretty open though...they give you a private room with a tub and allow you to move freely etc...

I was curious about the samething...mainly because we dont have birthing centers in my area. What i know about them, however, is that they handle all but the most complicated of births and are a more homelike setting.... my hospital is also pretty open though...they give you a private room with a tub and allow you to move freely etc...

If you have a very low risk pregnancy and you're young and don't have money for a hospital I could see the appeal. Personally I could probably give birth at home - but that small percentage of a chance that something goes wrong makes me want a doctor/hospital setting. You never know what might happen. Plus I can afford it.

If you have a very low risk pregnancy and you're young and don't have money for a hospital I could see the appeal. Personally I could probably give birth at home - but that small percentage of a chance that something goes wrong makes me want a doctor/hospital setting. You never know what might happen. Plus I can afford it.

Please don't make a generalized judgement based off the one and only example you've seen. That's like saying all schools in a region are bad if you heard about one poor performing school in one city. I would agree that the birthing center you've seen probably should be avoided if their transfer rates are that high. However, if you do some research you would learn that birth centers typically only take low-risk pregnancies. There's even a birth center in my state that refuses all overweight women... a bit extreme in my opinion, but there it is. You would also find that birth center statistics for medical interventions, such as c-section rates, are dramatically lower and the babies are just as healthy (some statistics even claim apgar scores are higher due to lack of drugs in the system, but do your own research and decide on your own what you believe). I know that my birthing center only had 2 hospital transfers in the last year and they average about 10 births a month. Midwives are not ignorant hippies who like catching babies. They undergo professional medical training, obtain licensure, and consult with OBs when needed. When you birth at a birthing center, you have a team of people who know your face and name well. My bc staff even recognize me on the phone (I don't call that often). They really get to know you medically and become very familiar with you and your partner's wishes and personalities- something I find important when it comes to trusting someone with the birth of my child. There will not be a stranger in charge if my birth that is not familiar myself or with my body/medical history. My midwife will be extremely familiar with these things and will be better informed to help me make decisions.

Please don't make a generalized judgement based off the one and only example you've seen. That's like saying all schools in a region are bad if you heard about one poor performing school in one city. I would agree that the birthing center you've seen probably should be avoided if their transfer rates are that high. However, if you do some research you would learn that birth centers typically only take low-risk pregnancies. There's even a birth center in my state that refuses all overweight women... a bit extreme in my opinion, but there it is. You would also find that birth center statistics for medical interventions, such as c-section rates, are dramatically lower and the babies are just as healthy (some statistics even claim apgar scores are higher due to lack of drugs in the system, but do your own research and decide on your own what you believe). I know that my birthing center only had 2 hospital transfers in the last year and they average about 10 births a month. Midwives are not ignorant hippies who like catching babies. They undergo professional medical training, obtain licensure, and consult with OBs when needed. When you birth at a birthing center, you have a team of people who know your face and name well. My bc staff even recognize me on the phone (I don't call that often). They really get to know you medically and become very familiar with you and your partner's wishes and personalities- something I find important when it comes to trusting someone with the birth of my child. There will not be a stranger in charge if my birth that is not familiar myself or with my body/medical history. My midwife will be extremely familiar with these things and will be better informed to help me make decisions.

I wanted to give birth at the birthing center. I have GD and they will not allow me to give birth there. I will still give birth with a midwife, but at the hospital (which is just across the street.) I feel that my midwifes are very knowledgeable, caring and overall amazing. I go to the dr when I am sick. I would like as few interventions as possible during my delivery so I chose a midwife. The group I go to explain everything and they are so warm and calm. It makes me excited and empowered to give birth.

I wanted to give birth at the birthing center. I have GD and they will not allow me to give birth there. I will still give birth with a midwife, but at the hospital (which is just across the street.) I feel that my midwifes are very knowledgeable, caring and overall amazing. I go to the dr when I am sick. I would like as few interventions as possible during my delivery so I chose a midwife. The group I go to explain everything and they are so warm and calm. It makes me excited and empowered to give birth.

I'm not sure what research you've done or insurance you have but my very ****ty insurance covers our birthing center and it is much cheaper than hospital birth. Also our BC transfer rate is 6%. That includes non emergencies. I agree with others- why would I go to the hospital if I am not sick or injured? Women gave birth well before there were hospitals and they continue to have healthy deliveries without doctors/ hospitals.

I'm not sure what research you've done or insurance you have but my very ****ty insurance covers our birthing center and it is much cheaper than hospital birth. Also our BC transfer rate is 6%. That includes non emergencies. I agree with others- why would I go to the hospital if I am not sick or injured? Women gave birth well before there were hospitals and they continue to have healthy deliveries without doctors/ hospitals.

Even Medicaid covers birthing centers... for my insurance (not on medicare or medicaid), the bc cost me $50- that includes prenatal visits, birth, and postpartum check-ups. Not sure where you got that info from...

Even Medicaid covers birthing centers... for my insurance (not on medicare or medicaid), the bc cost me $50- that includes prenatal visits, birth, and postpartum check-ups. Not sure where you got that info from...

I think lots of people make the mistake of thinking that if they are low risk they won't have complications. With my first I was extremely low risk, no problems in pregnancy. I had a pretty complicated delivery that had absolutely nothing to do with birthing in a hospital. I thank God that is what I chose to do because I would have ended up with an emergency c sec otherwise (since I almost did anyway). Being at the hospital is what bought me enough time to get my baby out naturally. If you want to have another type of birth, then to each his own. I envy the ladies that have an "easy" time of it, no matter where they birth.

I think lots of people make the mistake of thinking that if they are low risk they won't have complications. With my first I was extremely low risk, no problems in pregnancy. I had a pretty complicated delivery that had absolutely nothing to do with birthing in a hospital. I thank God that is what I chose to do because I would have ended up with an emergency c sec otherwise (since I almost did anyway). Being at the hospital is what bought me enough time to get my baby out naturally. If you want to have another type of birth, then to each his own. I envy the ladies that have an "easy" time of it, no matter where they birth.

I'm of the same belief as some other ladies, that hospitals are for sick people, and giving birth is not an illness. Unless I need medical intervention, I'd rather be in a quiet, calm place to have my baby. That's just what feels natural to me :-)

I'm of the same belief as some other ladies, that hospitals are for sick people, and giving birth is not an illness. Unless I need medical intervention, I'd rather be in a quiet, calm place to have my baby. That's just what feels natural to me :-)

My research was based on birthing centers closest to me. I have pretty good insurance but my PPO does not cover birthing centers. I would have to pay a large fee upfront in addition to paying for a midwife. I'm not paying anything for our hospital birth, but I would feel more comfortable at a birthing center.

@wishingandhoping1 where do you live? It might be a regional thing, I'm in southern California. I wish it was only $50 for birthing centers. Again, maybe it varies by insurance companies.

My research was based on birthing centers closest to me. I have pretty good insurance but my PPO does not cover birthing centers. I would have to pay a large fee upfront in addition to paying for a midwife. I'm not paying anything for our hospital birth, but I would feel more comfortable at a birthing center.

@wishingandhoping1 where do you live? It might be a regional thing, I'm in southern California. I wish it was only $50 for birthing centers. Again, maybe it varies by insurance companies.

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